Mom and author, Orla Kelly, penned a heartfelt letter to her child on that begins, “I am writing this letter to you as a permanent reminder of how wonderful you are, and to tell you that no matter what happens, you will always shine. I say this not just as your mom, but because of how much you have enriched all our lives and how you will go on to enrich the lives of others you are yet to meet…”

Orla goes on to describe how her child has touched her life, and what she loves about her child, “You speak your truth even if the world is not always ready to hear it, and you have a great awareness of what fits together in life and what doesn’t. This can sometimes get you into trouble, but the world needs speakers, dreamers, creators, inventors, explorers and you have a part of each of these…”

And offers her wisdom on life to her child as they grow, and encounter life and its adventures,”Never lose your wonderful imagination my beautiful child, even if others may poke fun at you. They cannot see the miracles and magic unfolding in your head and they cannot see the places where your adventures take you to…”

I love you more than words can convey. And I can’t begin to tell you how painful, how agonizing it has been to have been kept from expressing love to my child —

to have been prevented from caring for you. And to hear from others of signs you are showing signs of pain & emptiness…

I can’t express how desperately difficult this is, & how terrible it feels not to be able to make anyone protect you, let alone be blocked from reaching out & keeping you safe. It (this issue) is not you; it is this situation we’ve been put in — a situation which began a while back.
I will be where you need me to be. You only have to let me know. I would already be there if I knew it did not create trouble for you. I love you. I am here for you, waiting to know what you need me to do under these painful circumstances.

We are not alone. Other daughters & moms are also going thru this hell. We are praying for each other & for PEACE. But most of all,

I’m praying for you — your safety & wellness & right to love & enjoy your entire family. (These things all go together.There is no peace with DV By Proxy or alienation.

I’m so sad that so much time has been stolen — not just these past few years, but since you were small, too. And so much peaceful mother-daughter & family time was interfered with.

But I was happy for you because I thought you had all the caring attention I never had. I also thought (& had been encouraged to believe) that I had less value than others in your life, but now I realize that is a lie.
So many things I did & decisions I made were about trying to hold things together for our family under the weight of confusion. Although I regret my mistakes, ignorance, lack of parenting skills in an unfamiliar & unsecure situation, I’ve accepted (with the help of others) that I’m human.

While no one person should be at the center of any one’s life all the time (and no one, daughter, should limit who you love at any time, including — especially including: yourself), I strongly believe in the value I have in your life, or I would not bother in the face of so much painful rejection.

Control and rejection are two major components of alienation

You know I stand for forgiveness, inclusiveness, love, harmony, & peace…, but I stand against intentional cruelty, with a heart ready to forgive that, too.

You have also inspired me to share with others about why someone should consider vegetarian and vegan choices!

Your loved ones need you to be safe & healthy!!

But, I am also enjoying all the little blessings & not-so-little things in life, & I pray for the day you will enjoy them with me & your whole family.